STICK ‘EM UP: DIY MAGNETIC MAKEUP ORGANIZER

Magnetized makeup boards (not to mention magnetic palettes like Z•palette!) are a dream solution for those of us who want to streamline and simplify our routines. Unlike an overstuffed makeup bag, a magnet board allows you to keep your favorite and most-used products easily reachable and organized. And you can make one yourself! We loved the idea so much we decided to give it a whirl. We found the perfect frame at a second-hand shop, and our local hardware store was happy to cut us a piece of sheet metal to fit perfectly inside. The fun part was customizing the piece with fabric to coordinate with our living space!

While we could never fit all of our makeup onto one board, it still made our morning routine fast by putting our best-loved products right within reach. We recommend whipping one up for yourself on a rainy afternoon.

You will need

hanging frame with a snap-in back (no glass)
sheet of metal cut to the measurements of the frame (any hardware store can do this)
Mod Podge or a similar brush-on glue
decorative paper or thin fabric
heavy-duty magnetic dots

Steps

1: Brush Mod Podge over the surface of the sheet metal.

2: Carefully lay your decorative fabric or paper over the wet glue and smooth the material across the surface, making sure there are no bumps or air bubbles. Fold the excess fabric or paper around to the back of the metal sheet and allow to dry.

3:  Press the covered metal sheet into your frame and snap the frame’s back into place.

4: Stick magnets to the board and attach each of your favorite cosmetics. Arrange them on your new makeup board! (For makeup in plastic pots, you can get adhesive metal plates from our Z•Palette shop).

5: Hang it up in your bedroom or bathroom for a decorative main makeup attraction!

SHARING = MORE FRIENDS = AWESOME!

HOW TO CLEAN YOUR MAKEUP BRUSHES

We turned to Katrine Lieberkind a Danish-born, L.A.-based makeup artist to learn how to properly clean our makeup brushes! You might remember her as Billy B.’s on-set assistant from our June profile. A makeup artist with a busy schedule like Kat has to stay on her toes, cleaning brushes quickly and effectively between clients. When we heard how passionate she was about Parian Spirit’s brush cleaner, we knew we had to start carrying it in our boutique, because Lieberkind knows her stuff!  

Kat took some time out of her action-packed day to tell us why she loves the brush cleaner and to teach us her favorite brush cleaning techniques.

Why Parian Spirit?

I like Parian Spirit Brush cleaner because it cleans my brushes better—it even gets out latex/eyelash glue from the brush! It also contains natural citrus oils that condition the brushes. I get so many compliments on the way my brushes smell, and to me the citrus-y scent also signals that they are disinfected and ready to go.

Some brush cleaners are more watery, and that means it takes longer for the brushes to dry. When I have several looks to do, or when I am assisting, it is important for me that my brushes dry quickly.

How to Clean Your Brushes

Because this cleaner removes glue, I don’t recommend soaking brushes. The bristles are glued inside the brush, so soaking could dissolve the adhesive.

LARGE BRUSHES

Separate out the big fluffy powder brushes and blush brushes from the rest. I use the Parian Spirit 2 oz. spray bottle on these, spraying the bristles and brushing them against a paper towel until it is clean.

For a deeper clean, pour a little brush cleaner into the lid of the Parian Spirit jar and dip the tip of the powder brush into the liquid, gently twirling the brush in the cleaner. The capillary action of the bristles will pull the cleaner into the brush without having to immerse the whole brush into the liquid. Gently wipe dry with a paper towel.

SMALLER BRUSHES

I clean the smaller brushes with the Parian Spirit Jar, using the little net inside of it. Fill the jar a little above the net and dip the dirty brushes into the liquid, gently brushing against the net.

The cool thing about this is that because of the netting, pigment comes out easily. So, when I go to clean the next brush, the pigment has settled to the bottom of the jar. I wipe off the liquid on the inside of the jar (like with nail polish) and wipe them gently on paper towel.

I usually reshape small, fluffy brushes (like eyeshadow brushes) into their proper form while they are still moist, so when they dry, they are like new. After you are done, you can put the lid on the jar and use the same liquid later. It evaporates a little, so just add a small amount of extra brush cleaner liquid when using next time.

BEYOND SANITIZING

I use Parian Spirit Brush cleaner between each model, of course, but every so often I also shampoo my brushes and use a little bit of hair conditioner in the big soft powder brushes. Shampooing your brushes will not disinfect them, so I ALWAYS use Parian first.

Even if you only use your brushes on yourself, I still recommend that you disinfect your brushes. Creamy makeup left in brushes can grow germs that can cause your skin to break out. Also, powder brushes will pick up sebum from your skin. In addition, I find that brushes stay more "new" when you take good care of them, which makes for an easier application and a better result.

POST-CLEANING CLEANUP

When it is time to discard the brush cleaner in the jar, use paper towels to soak up the liquid and wipe out the pigment.

How do you like to clean your makeup brushes? If you have a favorite brush cleaning tip or brush cleaner you like to use most be sure to let us know in the comments. Happy brush cleaning!

SIMPLE HALLOWEEN LOOK! WEEPING NUN MAKEUP

Okay, okay, we had to. When it came to picking this year’s Halloween tutorials, we couldn’t help but nod toAmerican Horror Story, one of the most crazy-fun, frightening things you can watch these days. This character haunted us from posters and other promo materials for the FX show’s second season, Asylum, which aired in 2013. The image of a white-faced nun weeping black tears stuck with us all year long, so we decided to re-create the look and show you the steps. Grab a habit and follow along! Just remember, use only products that are safe for the skin and eyes.

You Will Need

nontoxic glue stick (like Elmer’s), translucent loose powder, white face makeup, white face powder, red gel eyeliner, red eye shadow, black eyeliner, latex sponge, makeup brushes, small spatula

Steps

1: First, you’ll cover up your eyebrows. The trick? Use a spatula to scoop and apply glue from a nontoxic glue stick over brows. We used Elmer’s Washable Disappearing Purple Glue Sticks (the product dries completely clear, so you’ll know when it’s dry).

2: Blend in and make sure all the hairs are pushed down and as smooth as possible—you want to mask all the texture. Let dry.

3: Dip brush in translucent loose powder and brush over eyebrows. If you see any stray hairs, apply another layer of glue.

4: Next, cover the entire face, lips, and neck. with white makeup or face paint. To get full coverage, use a latex sponge. You can use the sponge to cover everything, but if you’re working on someone else, you may prefer to use a brush under the eyes to get closer to the lash line, suggests makeup artist Brande Bytheway.

5: To set the paint, use white face powder (rather than the translucent loose powder) because it gives more coverage. Pour a bit of the powder onto the back of your hand, dip a brush in it, shake off the excess, and then apply all over the face, eyelids, neck, and lips.

6: Dip an angled brush into a red gel eyeliner to tightline the eyes (line between the lash line rather than the skin above the lashes). Lift lashes up and fill in the gaps between the lash hairs—try to get as close to the root as possible. Follow our tutorial here, and be gentle!

7: Use eye shadow in a similar red shade to help blend the color out.

8: Apply a black eyeliner to the water line. Add a thick layer of black below the eyes as pictured, painting on drops in different lengths down the face (We used Kryolan Aquacolor in 071 because it’s safe to use around the eyes and dries on the skin.) 

9: Touch up the neck with white face paint.

What we used: Inglot Cosmetics Translucent Loose Powder in 218, Inglot Cosmetics AMC Eyeliner Gel in 72,Inglot Cosmetics Freedom System Eye Shadow in 382 Matte, Kryolan Aquacolor in 071, Inglot Cosmetics Kohl Pencil, Mehron Clown White, Ben Nye Super White Face Powder, Cover FX #140 Powder Brush, Anastasia Angled Cut Brush Small, Billy B Beauty Paint Brush 5

What are your favorite TV-inspired costume ideas? Share below!

5 MINUTES TO A NATURAL, FLAWLESS FACE

For us, no-makeup makeup products are as essential as red lipstick and mascara—we can never have too many! One of our favorite go-tos for beautiful, naturally-looking color is rms beauty, an all-organic line designed to work with your skin's natural chemistry. Follow this tutorial for a barely-there look that's ideal for those days where you want a little polish, but don't feel like getting all dolled up. 

1: Start by prepping the face with the Beauty Oil. Just a drop or two of this completely natural oil balances the skin, priming pores for a flawless makeup application. 

2: Using your finger or a brush, apply "Un" Cover-Up only where you need it—to the under eye area to hide dark circles, around the nose to conceal redness, and so on. Dab with your finger to blend. 

3: Using your finger and the Living Luminizer, add a pop of highlight to the orbital bone (around the eye) and to the cupid's bow, just above the lip.

4: Set it all with a little bit of "Un" Powder. You only need a light dusting anywhere you want to reduce shine, like around the nose, under the eyes, and on the forehead. There's no need to powder the whole face! Use the included puff or a fluffy, soft brush.

5: Next, using your finger or a brush, apply a Cream Eye Shadow to the lid. We loveSeduce, an earthy, luminous deep brown. Tap or brush until the edge of color blends into the skin. Because the formula is made from all-natural, food-grade ingredients, it might crease a bit over the course of the day. If this happens, just tap it lightly with your finger, and it'll instantly blend and even out.

6: Do you lips and cheeks with Lip2Cheek; we used Smile a sheer, punchy coral. Dab a little on to the cheekbone, tapping the pigment into place and then smoothing out to blend the edges with your finger. Then, using a lip brush or your fingers, do a coat or two on your lips.

That's it! The whole routine can be done in about five minutes. Try it the next time you're running late in the morning. All products are from rms beauty; you can sub any cream blushes, concealers, and shadows you like, too.

SHARING = MORE FRIENDS = AWESOME!